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Out with the old, in with the new! Every new year brings plenty of time to set ‘resolutions’ to live a happy and healthier life in our great state of Texas. And thanks to the endless lists of suggested resolutions that you can find online, you don’t need to go anywhere else but right here to make your own resolutions for 2023.
Over this past week, we searched the worldwide web for the most popular and achievable new year’s resolutions that are easy to keep throughout the year.
Thanks to Parade.com, Goodhousekeeping.com, and CollegeLifeMadeEasy.com we have compiled 50 easy resolutions that seem to be simple to keep.
So sit back, take a look at the list, and toast to yourself for a healthy and happy year to come:
50 Easy & Achievable New Year’s Resolutions
1. Drink plenty of water
2. Move more, sit less
3. Make plans to take a mini-adventure
4. Prioritize eco-friendly choices
5. Volunteer more often
6. Adopt an attitude of gratitude
7. Send handwritten letters
8. Spend five minutes a day cleaning
9. Practice mindfulness
10. Cook something new each week
11. Read more books
12. Try a new restaurant
13. Donate clothes you never wear
14. Avoid people who complain a lot
15. Talk less, listen more
16. Practice remembering names
17. Make your bed each morning, you will have accomplished something
18. Commit to a healthier sleep pattern
19. Join a club
20. Eat more vegetables
21. Schedule an annual health examination
22. Take the stairs
23. Plan a stay-cation in your hometown
24. Do yoga
25. Make time for cuddling
26. Volunteer regularly
27. Join a club
28. Hone or learn a new skill
29. Stop procrastinating a new skill
30. Keep clutter out of the kitchen
31. Bake cookies for a veteran
32. Explore new hobbies
33. Do one thing at a time
34. Put your phone down, go outside
35. Keep current with the news
36. Ease stress with kindness
37. Give one compliment a day
38. Do random acts of kindness
39. Go someplace you have never been
40. Schedule ‘me’ time
41. Write down one thing you are grateful for every night
42. Call a friend and have a conversation, skip the text
43. Don’t by things you don’t need
44. Clean your car once a month
45. Let go of grudges
46. Be more punctual
47. Make a new friend
48. Stop gossiping
49. Learn something new everyday
50. Just do it!
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Welcome to 2021! If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to get your apartment in Austin, TX, a little more organized and welcoming, our January blogs are for you!
Starting a new year gives us every reason to toss the past behind us and focus forward on the good things in life. With so many of us spending more time at home, this may be the best resolution to put at the top of your list!
We have just walked through our apartment at Le Montreaux and used that tour to develop our own list of how we will start the process, today! On behalf of our entire team, we wish you the best of success in streamlining and organizing your apartment this month!
Happy New Year!
Welcome Home!
We all know about ‘first impressions.’ How’s yours … as friends and family walk in the door. Shoes on the floor, coats hanging off the edge of the closet door? Perhaps your plant has seen better days? To get started on your new resolution, go outside, and then walk in and take a visual inventory. If you are pleased with what you see, fabulous! You are on your way.
If not, time to tidy up the entry. And that does not mean just throw everything in the closet. It will be there when you need to repeat that habit the next time. Maybe it’s time to donate a few jackets to the local thrift shop. Perhaps you need a small bench for the variety of shoes and boots? Whatever you can do to make that closet purposeful and not a holding tank will be a super first step to getting your entry welcoming and clutter-free.
A Kitchen is for Cooking
Are your countertops cluttered with unread mail or perhaps missing bills? Has your kitchen table become a mailbox holding ground? One of the fastest habits to break that will bring the purpose of your kitchen back to work is tossing your mail or various stacks of paper where they belong -before you land in the kitchen.
We have added a new and colorful basket right by the entry of our apartment. When we come home, we stop and assess the mail at the entrance to our home. Bills go in one pile, the useful paper goods (like our favorite magazines) go to into the basket for further review, and all other unwanted materials go directly into the trash which is conveniently located under our sink in the kitchen!
Our neighbors did it differently – yet their system works. They bought several rectangle baskets, labeled them, and placed them on a shelf. Bills into one bin, cards and other personal items in another, and junk mail in the final basket for review or removal when time allows. They also finally convinced us to go to online billing and contact the publisher of unwanted magazines to remove our name from their list.
Bedrooms are for Sleeping
There’s a favorite chair in our bedroom that brings back endless memories of family time gone by. Prior to our reorganizing spree, you could not see it as it turned into a “clothing catcher” of all sorts. Today, it proudly sits awaiting our return to enjoy some quiet time with a good book. The piles of clothing now have their own designated space. They are either placed on hangers (we bought quite a few for a great value) or live in a hamper to await laundry day.
Stay tuned to our next blog later this month for more top tips on how to organize your apartment in 2021!
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1. Bring the Comfort
A sofa is the main piece to any living room, so why not make it stand out? Adding high-quality throw pillows that make a statement is a simple way to make your living room pop. Try playing with textures and stitching to find the perfect match for your space!
Sites like Wayfair.com and Pier1.com have beautiful, affordable options in all shapes and sizes. Pair your pillows along with a soft, cozy blanket that carries the same color themes and voila, your living room is transformed!
2. Add Some Borders
Prints and posters are an easy way to get our favorite art into our homes at an affordable price. However, most people leave their pictures unframed, instead tacking them up wherever is accessible in the moving craze – not to be touched again unless they fall down.
Unframed prints look unfinished. Adding a simple frame can really transform your picture – making that Monet poster from the museum actually look worthy of Monet! Take the time to measure your piece and go out and get a frame. It’s worth it!
3. Make it Match
Investing in a spice tower can really beautify your kitchen countertops and drawers to get rid of unwanted clutter. No more random jars with mismatched labels! Some spice racks even come with free refills, like this one on Amazon which refills for five years! Cooking will be more fun, too!
4. Go Green
House plants bring life into your space, but only if they’re still alive! Succulents make great house plants as they require little care and there are so many varieties.
Did you know you can buy plants from Amazon.com? Check out this 20 pack of succulents for only $40.00! You can decorate the whole house with this collection.
5. Bathe in Style
A beautiful shower curtain can transform your bathroom from something drab to something fab. Check out these options from Wayfair.com to bring your space up a notch!
So there you have it! Five easy tips to liven up your apartment that don’t require anything other than an online order. Happy shopping!
External Links Disclaimer
This post may contain links to external websites that are not provided or maintained by or in any way affiliated with lemontreaux.com. Please note that lemontreaux.com does not guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of any information on these external websites.
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With the spring season around the corner, we decided to share some of the top decorating trends for apartments and townhouses in 2017. We have scoured our favorite resources and selected ideas to bring some color and fun into your apartment in Austin.
House Plants are on the Rise!
Recent statistics from Pinterest.com note that there has been a 200% increase in house plant purchases – and with good reason. From plants that require lots of sunshine to those who don’t, there are lots of great options, and most don’t need too much care.
Not sure which are best for your home? We found this great resource for you. Just click here to ApartmentTherapy.com for a full list of the top house plants for apartments.
“Hygge” – The New Term for Comfy
Did you know the secret to happiness is now referred to as “Hygge” décor? We didn’t either, so we had to check this new trend out. According to our resource on this subject, here’s their take on this upcoming trend for 2017: “Finding the words to convey sentimental feelings can be hard sometimes. Yet, the opposite is true when it comes to the Danish term "hygge." Although there is literally no single translation for the concept (pronounced hoo-gah or hue-gah) the Danes use hygge to describe the warm feelings of happiness, comfort, and coziness—not unlike our idea of holiday spirit—they strive to achieve during the cooler weather seasons.”
Nightstands Bring New Light to Bedroom Décor
It was a bit hard to believe, yet according to the top online décor sites, the interest in ‘nightstands’ has far exceeded any former stats. On Pinterest alone, they have seen a 721% increase in clicks to anything to do with bed stands or small table décor. If you are a DIY aficionado, here’s a good link with step by step directions on how to make your own nightstand.
Color it Copper, Poised Taupe, Pink or Byzantine Blue
Be it a blanket, throw, floor rug, pillow, purse, or a new pair of shoes, the top colors of 2017 are now in; some we are familiar with, and others have opened our eyes to new ideas. Gone are the blankets that we have stored in the closet for unknown reasons or the pillows we have had for 20 years. In are the Pink shoes for Easter celebrations with a Byzantine Blue accessory to complement our fresh look of spring!
Wicker Makes a Comeback
I can remember sitting on my Grandmother’s wicker chairs and always wondering if I would end up with their ownership? I should have nabbed them when I could as and wicker (and rattan) baskets, furniture, and home décor accents are at the top of the charts for 2017. FYI: we found a super way to add wicker into our apartment in Austin by using wicker baskets for storage of towels and such.
Happy decorating!
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With the holiday season in full swing, we thought we would dedicate this last blog of the year to some good advice on how to enjoy the last few weeks of 2016. We found (and credit) Health.com for the following ideas that we hope will leave you merry and bright well into 2017.
Hike your mood with sunlight
It stimulates the production of feel-good serotonin and helps relieve seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which impacts millions of Americans every year. To ease SAD symptoms, spend time outdoors or near a window on sunny days, or ask your doc about phototherapy (a treatment using a box that emits full-spectrum light).
Take a whiff of citrus
Researchers studying depression have found that certain citrus fragrances boost feelings of well-being and alleviate stress by upping levels of norepinephrine, a hormone that affects mood. For an all-day pick-me-up, dab a little lemon or orange essential oil on a handkerchief to tuck in your pocket.
Savor a spicy meal
Hot foods trigger the release of endorphins—the natural chemicals that trigger feelings of euphoria and well-being.
Walk away from worries
The rhythm and repetition of walking has a tranquilizing effect on your brain, and it decreases anxiety and improves sleep.
Squeeze here
The fleshy place between your index finger and thumb is called the hoku spot in traditional Chinese medicine. Applying firm pressure there for just 30 seconds can reduce stress and tension in your upper body. So if you start to feel overwhelmed by the holiday chaos, give your hand a squeeze and take a deep breathe.
Do less, enjoy more
We go overboard to please others during the holidays: shopping, cooking, sending cards, and attending every event. Instead, take care of yourself by saying no at least once—and maybe more.
Stick with your daily routine
Prioritize your workouts, book club, etc., and don't try to squeeze in more holiday than you can handle
Don't neglect whatever cracks you up
Laughing like crazy reduces stress hormones. That, in turn, helps immune cells function better, says psychologist Steve Wilson, founder of the World Laughter Tour, an organization that offers therapeutic-laughter training.
Forget perfection
Stop obsessing over doing it all. The world is not going to end if the house is a little cluttered or dinner is on the table a few minutes late. Focus your energy on enjoying the people in your life. Don't sweat the small stuff and your holiday will be much more enjoyable!
Get out of the house
If your family members often pick on one another at the holiday table, taking the fun out of meals, consider eating family brunches or dinners in restaurants. Being in public discourages loud voices and bad behavior.
And our favorite … Go tech-free
Constant cell phone buzzes and email alerts keep us in a perpetual fight-or-flight mode due to bursts of adrenaline. Not only is this exhausting, but it contributes to mounting stress levels, especially in women. What better time to turn your gadgets off than during a holiday get-together? Enjoy spending time with your family and friends without worry.
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Inside or out, grab your friends and family and get ready for all the fun that to be found just outside of our apartment community at LeMontreaux in Austin.
December 12
The mission of the Big as Texas Short Film Festival is to “strive to acknowledge as many high-quality films as possible from all over the world.” The festival features dozens of great indie films, and awards some of the top from each year with a grand celebration including red carpet and director Q&As.
December 12
Luminations ~ The wildflower center is turned into a winter wonderland by thousands of luminaries and lights. The event benefits the Wildlife Center, as well as Capital Area Food Bank, so you can get in the giving spirit surrounded by beauty.
December 20
The Gospel According to Jazz Christmas ~ Kirk Whalum, a 12 time Grammy nominated saxophonist, comes to Austin to feed your soul with his jazz renditions of holiday tunes.
January 7 – 10
Annual Outdoor Sporting Show ~ It’s the Central Texas’ greatest outdoor sporting show which is great for kids of all ages! Check out the latest in boating & RV fun in this multi-day event. Click here to grab a coupon before you buy tickets.
Jan 1-10
Austin Free Week ~ Hundreds of Austin bands showcase their skills for free during this annual festival of free tunes.
Venues vary so visit their website by clicking here.
January 16
Star Wars Family Fun Fest ~ It’s all things Star Wars and it’s a must do in January! Go see the newest film (or see it again) in IMAX® 3D on the biggest screen in Texas.
January 9 & February 27, 2016
Westcave Preserve ~ Take a tour of the night skies at Westcave, a dark sky location convenient to the Austin area. Star nights are an ideal opportunity to enjoy an evening gazing at the stars through a high-quality telescope.
January 18, 2016
Martin Luther King March & Festival ~ The Annual Community March celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy while uplifting diversity and multi-culturalism in our city. After the march, a Celebration Festival and Community Food Drive will take place all day featuring vendors & local musical artists.
Anytime
Texas Military Forces Museum
Spend a chilly day checking out the BG John C.L. Scribner Texas Military Forces Museum and see some pretty cool exhibits – tanks, helicopters, war vehicles, a chunk of the Berlin Wall, and more.
Have fun out there!
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